Arab Summit Endorses Egypt's Comprehensive Plan For Gaza Recovery And Reconstruction

The Extraordinary Arab Summit has endorsed a plan from Egypt, coordinated with Palestine and other Arab nations, for Gaza's early recovery and reconstruction. This initiative, based on World Bank and UN Development Fund studies, aims to provide comprehensive financial, material, and political support. The summit's "Cairo Declaration" calls for swift international assistance to implement this plan.

In the declaration, the summit urged global and regional financial bodies to back the plan promptly. It highlighted that these efforts should coincide with launching a political process for a lasting solution. This aims to realise the Palestinian people's aspirations for statehood and peaceful coexistence.

The summit welcomed plans for an international conference in Cairo focused on Gaza's recovery and reconstruction. Organised with Palestine and the UN, this event invites global participation to expedite Gaza's rehabilitation. A trust fund is proposed to gather financial commitments from countries and donor institutions for recovery projects.

The summit reiterated its firm stance against any displacement of Palestinians from their land. This position was also emphasised in the Bahrain Declaration on May 16, 2024. Such actions are deemed violations of international law, crimes against humanity, and acts of ethnic cleansing.

The summit condemned Israel's recent decision to block humanitarian aid into Gaza and close relief operation crossings. These actions violate ceasefire agreements and international laws, including the Fourth Geneva Convention. The use of sieges and starvation as political tools was also rejected by the summit.

Furthermore, it criticised policies aimed at forcing Palestinians off their land through starvation or scorched-earth tactics. The summit stressed that Israel must comply with international resolutions rejecting demographic changes in Palestinian territories.

The Arab Summit's decisions reflect a unified effort to address Gaza's challenges while advocating for Palestinian rights under international law. By calling for global cooperation and condemning obstructive policies, the summit seeks a just resolution for Palestinians.

With inputs from WAM